Flow responsive device



May 21, 1946.

B.- L. BINFORD FLow RESPONSIVE DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet@ Filed July 2, 1943 May 21,1945- B. l.. BINFORD 2,400,479

FLOW RESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed July 2, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 241, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Cl. ZIN-81.9)

8 Claims.

This invention relates to flow responsive devices for effecting control signal or recording functions such as the operation of flow'control circuits. signal lights, recorders, audible alarms or the like, in response to predetermined rates of ilow of iluids, and the invention has-for an object the provision of improved devices of this character.

Flow alarms or ilow responsive devices of various types have heretofore been provided, but have not been entirely satisfactory due to dimculties encountered and limitations involved in the application of such devices to different operating conditions. For example, in liquid-flow responsive devices the inability of such devices to operate with liquids or different viscosities is highly objectionable. Furthermore. the -tendency `of iluid flow responsive devices to respond to static pressure of the uid rather than to the `rate of ilow only, and the diillculties of preventing leakage under pressure, indicate that something is yet to be desired in a reliable, inexpensive and rugged flow responsive device. It is accordingly a further object of the invention to provide a tlow responsive device which reliably and accurately indicates predetermined rates of flow regardless of the static pressures existing in the ilowing iluids, or the viscosity of flowing liquids, which comprises only a few easily fabricated parts and which is at all times positively sealed against leakage.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a chamber is provided having an inlet and an outlet and having means disposed between said inlet and outlet 'fonned to provide a throat through which the liquid flows in passing from the inlet to the outlet. Mounted for axial movement into and out of the throat is a tlow responsive disc having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the throat, and having a sharp peripheral edge which forms with the throat an annular orifice. The ilow of uid through the throat effects movements of the disc which are a function of the rate of flow of the iluid and substantially independent of the viscosity, so that control means associated with the disc are operated in response to predetermined rates of now.

More particularly, the disc is mounted on a piston element arranged in the chamber so that all surfaces of the piston and disc are subjected to iiuid pressure, thereby rendering the disc and piston independent of the static pressure of the huid in the chamer. The face of the disc adjacent the inlet side of the throat is preferably substantially dat. and the opposed suriacethere- .155 purposes.

of is tapered at an angle of approximately 45 so as to meet the flat surface in the desired sharp peripheral edge. l

In one embodiment oi' the invention the chamber may be provided with a second throat or aperture, the capacity of which may be man-v ually adjusted'so as to by-pass around the throat` containing the flow responsive disc any desired quantity of iluid, whereupon Ithe disc and the control means operated thereby will respond only to rates of flow in excess of the capacity of the manually adjustable throat or aperture. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the throat may be of elongated tapered form so that as the disc moves outwardly therein, away from the in` let side of the throat, the orilice will gradually i increase in width thereby requiring greater rates For a more complete understanding ol .the invention, reference should now be had to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view of a flow responsive device embodying the 30. present invention, a segment being cut away to illustrate the internalstructure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational vie'w of the 'liow I responsive device shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken substantially along the vertical centerline of the device;

lustrating somewhat diagrammatically a still iur-fv Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing another embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional elevational view, il-

ther embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Figs. land 2 of the drawings, the flow responsive device comprises a chamber or body III which is shown as comprising a standard valve body having an inlet II and an outlet I2. Interposed between the inlet and the outlet of the chamber I0 is a walln I3 which is apertured, as shown, to provide a throat I4. Immediately above the throat I4 the chamber I0 is provided with a cylindrical extension I5 which is externally threaded, as shown, to receive a cap nut I6 by means of which a closure member I1 is secured to the upper end of the extension I5, 'a suitable gasket I8 being provided for sealing The closure member I1 is centrally apertured and threaded, as shown, to receive in threaded relation an upstanding tubular post I3, the upper end of which is externally threaded for supporting the base portion 23 of a control or switching chamber. .As shown, the base portion is provided with a downwardly extending central boss 2I which is internally threaded to receive the threaded upper end of the post I3. A second boss 22 on the upper side of the base 2n is likewise threaded for receiving a tubular element23 which is formed of suitable nonmagnetic material, such as brass or a suitable stainless steel. The tubular element 23 is provided adjacent its lower end with an extending portion 24 which is shaped to provide a nut, so that by means of a suitable wrench the threaded end of the tubular member 23 may be tightened in the threaded boss 22 of the base 20.

Supported on the closed upper end of the tubular member 23 is an insulating plate which supports the terminals for the switch or control mechanism to be hereinafter described, and, as shown in Fig. 1, the closed upper end of the tubular element 23 is drilled and threaded to receive a threaded post 21 which extends through the insulating plate 23 and carries a nut 23 by means of which the insulating plate 2l is rigidly secured' in position The upper end or the threaded post 21 extends through a suitable aperture in the upper wall of a cover member 23, which as shown is substantiallv cup-shaped and arranged to engage at its lower edge an upstanding flange 3U on the base 23. A suitable nut 3i is provided for engaging the extending upper end of the post 21 so as to secure the cover member 23 in position on the base member 20.

It will now be seen that the tubular members I3 and 23, in co-operation with the base member 2li. the closure member I1 and the cylindrical is shown in the drawings as being a well known mercury-to-mercury contact type of tilting switch. 'I'he arm or cradle also carries a permanent magnet 4I which may be formed of any suitable permanent magnet material, and the entire pivoted structure comprising the arm 33, the switch and the magnet 4I is so balanced that it will normally occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, withfthe magnet 4I in spaced relation to the tubular member 23. Suitable adjusting means 42, in the form of screws may be provided for adjusting the travel of the pivoted arm 39, and it will be apparent that whenever the magnetizable body 31 moves along the interior of the hollowelement 23 to a position "within the held oreated by the permanent magnet 4I, the magnetic force between the magnet and the body 31 will cause the magnet 4I to move inwardly and operate the pivoted arm 33 to the position shown in Fig. 1 in which position the switch 40 will be tilted so as to alter the circuit connections established by the switch. As shown, the contacts of the switch 4I) are connected by suitable conductors 43 to terminals 44 carried on the insulating plate 25. I'hese terminals may of course be connected by other suitable conductors (not shown) to any suitable control apparatus, alarm, recorder or signal device, and the base 20 of the switch housing is provided with a threaded opening 43 through which these additional conductors may extend for connection to the alarm or signal device. The switch 40 thus constitutes control means which may be employed to effect operation of any desired ilow controlling means, signal device alarm, recorder or any combinations thereof depending upon the requirements of the installation.

In Fig. 2 the flow responsive device is shown with the piston 32 and disc 34 in their lowermost extension I3, form a tubular chamber extending outwardly from and in communication with the chamber Ill, which extending chamber is sealed against any possibility of leakage.

Disposed within the ilow chamber I0 on the piston 32, the lower end of which is provided with an extending neck portion 33 to which is secured a disc 34 having a substantially nat lower surface facing the inlet side of the throat I4 and having a tapered peripheral surface 3l which meets the fiat lower surface in a sharp peripheral edge. The disc 34 has an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the throat I4, so that a sharp-edged orince is provided" through 'side of the throat u adjacent the outlet l2 is aw which liquid may iiow in passing from the inlet ative to the throat I4 in the chamber I3, the m88- netizable body 31 will be correspondingly moved .within the tubular member 23, and this move-` ment of the magnetizable body is edective, in a manner now to be described, to operate'suitable control or alarm means.

Secured to the tubular member 23 adjacent the upper end thereof is a clamp 3l on which is pivotally mounted a switch supporting arm or cradle 33 on which is carried an electric switch 43 which 7s positions corresponding to a condition of zero ilow through the chamber III. As soon as liquid begins to ilow through the inlet II of the chamber I0, s. static pressure will build up on the inlet side of the throat sufncient to raise the piston 32 slightly and permit iiow through the throat I4. As shown, sumcient clearance is provided between the piston 32 and the cylindrical extension Il so that liquid may enter the extension, and thus all surfaces of the piston 32 and the disc 34 will be subjected to the static pressure of the liquid. Consequently, the piston and disc, after the initial opening of the throat to permit flow therethrough. will not be affected by static pressure but will operate solely in response to the rate of iiow.

It will of course be understood that the now of liquid through the orince denned by the disc and the throat, creates a pressure drop depending upon the rate cf now, and as soon as this pressure drop becomes sufficiently great to overcome the weight of the piston and the parts carried thereby the piston and disc will move upwardly toward the position shown in Fig. l. As heretofore pointed out, as soon as the magnetizable body 31 which is carried by the piston 32 enters the magnetic field of the magnet 4I, the switch 43 will be operated to changeits circuit connections and eiiect operation of a suitable control or signal means. Upon a reduction of the rate of flow below the critical value, the piston and disc will again move downwardly toward the position shown in Fig. 2. and when the magnetizable body 31 moves out of the field of the magnet 4l the pivoted arm 3l will return to the position shown in Fig. 2 so as to again vary the circuit connections established by the switch 40. .A

The rate of ilow at which the disc and piston )will be operated depends not only on the weight of the piston, disc and associated parts, but also on the diameter of the throat and the width of the orifice defined by the disc and throat, and it has been found that in all cases a differential operation will be obtained., For example, if the various parts are so proportioned that the disc and piston will be raised sufficiently to operate the switch 40 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 1 at a flow rate of approximately three gallons per minute, the switch 40 will be maintained in this position until the rate of flow has decreased to a value considerably under three gallons per minute, for example two and three tenths gallons per minute. The extent of the differential of course depends upon the same factors as the initial operation, i. e...

the weight of the piston, the diameter of the throat, and the width of the orifice.

By forming the disc with a tapered rear surface so as to provide a sharp peripheral edge, the now responsive device is rendered substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid flowing through the chamber I0. Preferably the tapered surface 35 extends at an angle of approximately 45, and this particular angle has been found to substantially eliminate the effects of viscosity. Although the disc 34 is shown in Figs. 1- and 2 as being formed as a separate piece secured to the neck 33 on the piston 32, it will of course be understood that the piston and disc may be integrally formed if desired.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 3, provision is made for indicating rates of flow much larger than would normallyy be indicated by the disc and piston construction therein shown. In Fig. 3 the flow chamber 50 is provided with an inlet 5I an outlet 52 and a separating wall 53 having a throat 54 therein similar to the corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Disposed in the throat 54 is a tapered flow disc 55 carried on a piston 56, which piston supports a rod 51 and a magnetizable body 58 in the same manner as heretofore described, the magnetizable body 58 being'movable alongv a tube'59 formed of nonmagnetic material. It will lof course be understood that control means or switching mechanism, including a permanent magnet and a tiltable switch similar to or identical with those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, will be associated with the nonmagnetic tube 59 for operation in response to the movements of the magnetizable body 58.

In addition, the wall 53 is provided with asecond throat 80, and the now through this second throat 60 may be controlled in any suitable manner. For example, thereis shown in Fig. 3 a manually adjustable valve 6| which may be adjusted to open. or close the throat 50 to any desired extent. It will be apparent that the throat 58 will by-pass a large portion of the fluid flowing through the chamber 50, the extent o1' the bypassing being determined by the adjustment of the valve 6I, and the flow disc 55 in the throat 54 will respond only to the rates of flow in excess of the maximum rate for which the valve ySI1 is adjusted. Thus the flow disc 55 may be employed to indicate or control rates of now considerably greater than the actual rate of flow through thethroat 54.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the pressure'chamber 18 is provided with an inlet 1I and an outlet 12, and the dividing wall 'I3 is provided with an elongated tapered or netizable body 18.

within a nonmagnetic tube 1 9 in accordance with and accordingly the disc maybe employed to sequentially indicate a plurality of increasing rates of flow. As shown in Fig. 4, the disc 15 is mounted on a piston 16 which carries a rod -11 to the upper end of which is secured a mag- This magnetizable body moves the movements of the disc 15, along the throat '14, and a plurality of control switches, diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 4 by the magnets 80, 8|, and 82, are mounted on the tube 19 so as to operate in sequence as the magnetizable body 18 moves upwardly in the tube 19.

In the position shown in Fig. 4, the magnet 80 has been attracted so vas to effect operation of the first control switch (not shown), and it will be apparent that as the body 18 moves upwardly from this position the magnet 8l will be attracted,

' and upon further movement the magnet 82 will be attracted. 0f course, as the magnetizable body moves downwardly in the tube 19, the magnets will return to their original positions in reverse sequence.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, o f course, that I do not Wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow responsive device comprising a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and having a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a frusto-conical 'disc mounted for movement into and out of said throat along the axis thereof, said disc having a maximum diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat, the sharp peripheral edge of said disc forming with said throat an annular orifice, whereby a predetermined rate of flow of liquid through said throat effects movement of said disc out of said throat, saidpredetermined rate of flow being substantially independent of the viscosity of said liquid, and control means operable in response to said movement of said disc into and out of said throat.

2. A flow responsive device comprising a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and having a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a disc mounted for movement into and out of said throat along the axis thereof, said disc having a maximum diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat, and having a slopingsurface meeting the opposite surface thereof in a sharp peripheral edge thereby to form with said throat an annular orifice, whereby a predetermined rate of flow of liquid through said throat effects axial movement of said disc out of said throat, said predetermined rate of flow being substantially indeand out of said throat along theV axis thereof, said disc having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat, and having a substantially flat surface facing theinlet side of said throat, the opposite surface of said disc including a portion inclined at an angle of approximately 45 to said flat surface and meeting said flat surface in a sharp peripheral edge, said edge and the wall of said throat forming an annular orifice whereby a predetermined rate of ilow of liquid through said throat effects axial movement of said disc out of said throat, said predetermined rate of flow being substantially independent of the viscosity of said liquid, and magnetic control means operable in response to said movement of said disc into and out of said throat.

4. A flow responsive device comprising a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet and having a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a disc having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat, a piston mounted in said chamber for movement toward and away from said throat surface sloped at substantially 45 to said flat surface so as to meet said flat surface in a sharp peripheral edge, and magnetic control means operable in response to movements of said disc into and out of said throat corresponding to predetermined rates of flow.

5. A dow responsive device comprising a flow chamber having an inlet and an `utlet, a tube of non-magnetic material extending from said chamber and having a closed end, switch means pivotally mounted on the exterior of said tube for movement between open and closed circuit positions, said switch means including a magnet, a magnetizable body within said tube movable into and out of the field of said magnet for effecting operation of said switch means, means in said chamber forming' a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a disc in said throat having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat and having a sharp .peripheral edge forming with said throat. an annular orifice, and means connecting said disc to said magnetizable body for effecting movement of said body in said tube in accordance with the rate of flow of liquid through said throat, said sharp peripheral edge on said disc rendering the flow Vresponse oi' said disc substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid.

6. A flow responsive device comprising a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet. a tube of non-magnetic material extending from said chamber and having a closed end. switch means pivotally mounted on the exterior of said tube for movement between open and closed circuit positions, said switch means including a magnet, a magnetizable body within said tube movable into and out of the field of said magnet for eecting operation of said switch means, means in said chamber forming a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a disc in said throat having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat and having a substantially flat face adiacent the inlet side of said throat, the opposite face of said disc including a portion inclined at substantially and meeting said flat face in a sharp peripheral edge, and means connecting said disc to said magnetizable body for effecting movement of said body in said tube in accordance with the rate of flow of liquid through said throat, said sharp peripheral edge on said disc rendering the flow response of said disc substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid.

7. A flow responsive device comprising a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and having a throat of substantially uniform diameter through which fluid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a frusto-conical disc mounted for movement into and out of said throat along the axis thereof, said disc having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said throat and having a sharp peripheral edge forming with said throat an annular orifice, whereby a predetermined rate of flow of liquid through said throat effects movement of said disc out of said throat, said predetermined rate of flow being substantially independent of the viscosity of said liquid, and magnetic control means operable in response to said movement of said disc into and out of said throat.

8. A flow responsive device comprising a flow chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a throat through which liquid flows in passing from said inlet to said outlet, a member movable within said chamber and comprising a piston portion and a disc portion, said disc portion having a substantially frusta-conical surface, the slant surface thereof terminating in a sharp peripheral edge; said disc adapted to occupy positions within and without said throat upon movement of said piston to provide an annular opening between said disc and throat, said disc and piston being adapted to present all of the external aree. thereof to the static pressure' of said liquid in said chamber whereby movement of said disc into and out of said throat is effected solely by the rate of flow of liquid through said annular orifice and independently of the viscosity of said liquid. and control meansy operable in response to movements of said disc corresponding to predetermined rates of flow into and out of said throat.

BENJAMIN L. BIINFORD. 

